Week 7, Term 4, 2025 | Friday 21 November

Celebrating the Class of 2025 

This week we honoured the graduating Class of 2025, a group of young people who have grown into confident, optimistic, and compassionate individuals ready to take on the world.  

Their achievements reflect Canterbury’s vision—education that is World Ready by Design. Every experience, from the classroom to the stage and the sports field, has been shaped to prepare them for life beyond school. 

Volunteering and serving others have been central to this journey. These experiences keep us humble, grounded, and empathetic. They remind us that leadership begins with service and that true success is measured by the positive impact we have on those around us. 

This year was one where the Four Dimensions – Academics, Character, Service and Leadership, The Arts, and Sport – were lived and breathed every day. It is not lost on me, or on the staff who know this group of Year 12s well, that we are likely to celebrate our best ever academic data in a year when the Four Dimensions, not One Dimension, have been priorities for us. We see a lived example in these Year 12 graduates that a fuller life and a more complete school experience gives us balance and drives our motivation academically.  

The calibre of academic results from this group, represented by their internal assessment results, was matched by outstanding contributions in music, drama, sport, and service.  

These successes show that excellence is not about exclusivity. It is about opportunity, effort, and improvement. At Canterbury, we believe in excellence without elitism, and the Class of 2025 embodies that principle. 

Moments That Mattered 

This farewell season has been rich with tradition and emotion, as it always is.

On Thursday morning, the Alumni Breakfast, a symbolic first step into lifelong connection, as graduates joined the ranks of Canterbury alumni. This was followed by the Final Chapel Service in the Bush Chapel, a sacred pause in nature, where prayers and reflections marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

On Thursday evening, our Valedictory Dinner at Movie World, a night of laughter, gratitude, and family pride, reminding us that success is a shared journey. 

And then our magnificent Graduation Ceremony today, featuring a 1500-strong Guard of Honour – a powerful Canterbury tradition that spoke of belonging and legacy, as younger students lined the path to cheer their mentors forward. 

As the Class of 2025 step into the next chapter, we celebrate their resilience, creativity, and integrity. They leave us with strong foundations and bold futures ahead. Congratulations to the Class of 2025. You are ready for what comes next. 

Canterbury Excels at the Future Anything Grand Final 

Canterbury College is celebrating remarkable success at this year’s Future Anything Grand Final, with our students once again demonstrating the innovation, development and entrepreneurial spirit that define our SPARK and Start Up classrooms.  

With over 1,000 students from across Australia applying for the Finals Series, it is an extraordinary achievement to have so many Canterbury teams represented on the national stage. Their selection highlights the strength of our programs from Years 5–10 and the skill, confidence, and determination shown by our young entrepreneurs. 

Outstanding Student Achievements: 

Love It Lock It – People’s Choice Award Grand Final Winners 

Congratulations to Summer Clifford and Améya Evans! Their innovative jewellery cases earned them automatic entry into the Grand Final, where they impressed audiences with both their confident pitch and a highly successful market stall. Their clever solution, designed to support teenage girls’ participation in sport, resonated strongly with customers and resulted in an outstanding number of sales. The girls walked away with a substantial prize package and, even more importantly, a newfound confidence and a growing love for entrepreneurship. 

Construct Pal – Grand Finalist 
Year 10 founder Ethan Park captivated the audience with his engaging pitch for ConstructPal, a set of 3D designed, injection moulded set of clips that help children turn simple cardboard into imaginative constructions. Ethan’s blend of design thinking and practical problem solving was a true standout.

Perfectly Tucked – Grand Finalists 
Well done to Year 9 innovators Daniel Wilkinson and Brian Yang, co-founders of Perfectly Tucked. Their clever card-and-patch system gamifies the bed-making process, helping young children develop independence and making mornings smoother for families. 

Foster – Highly Commended Semi Finals  

Year 9 students Daniel Riordan and Lennox Corlett were awarded Highly Commended for Foster, their reusable and interchangeable fabric poster system. Foster allows users to clip fabric designs on and off, encouraging creativity while reducing waste. 

Icing on Top – Highly Commended Semi Finals  
A big congratulations to Year 9 co founders Hunter Pennings, Manpriya Kaur and Nainam Arora, whose venture Icing on Top earned a Highly Commended award. Their edible icing “crayons” allow children to draw designs directly onto cookies, an imaginative and crowd-pleasing idea. 

Hall of Fame Induction 

In a significant milestone, Canterbury College was inducted into the Future Anything Hall of Fame in recognition of five years of entrepreneurial programs and meaningful impact.  

It was especially fitting to have two of our successful Start Up alumni and Canterbury entrepreneurs, Ashutosh Vaitha (Year 11, 2023 Runner Up) and Riley Morgan (Year 10, 2024 Runner Up), cheering on our teams at the Grand Final. Ashutosh and Riley played an important role in supporting and mentoring this year’s finalists throughout their journey. 

Educators Recognised on the National Stage 

In further exciting news, our teaching team received the Educators Team of the Year Award, recognising the outstanding entrepreneurial and skill-building programs delivered across Years 5 to 10. This honour celebrates the dedication, innovation, and passion of educators who consistently create meaningful learning experiences for our students. 

Congratulations to Mr Mark Hoppe, Ms Juanita Pervis, Mr Chris Pollock Mrs Alisha Richardson and Mr Troy Sparkes for their ongoing commitment to empowering young people to think creatively, purposefully and shape a better future. 

One of the greatest joys of my role is the privilege of working in an ELC – Year 12 school. Every day, I am reminded of how unique and special it is to be part of a learning community that spans the entire educational journey. I have the pleasure of spending time in the Junior School, observing classes from our youngest learners in ELC through to Year 12 and it is always inspiring to see the curiosity, creativity, and growth at every stage.

Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with our Year 1 team, supporting reading and writing extension. Watching these young learners develop foundational skills that will serve them for life is truly rewarding. After this lesson, I step into my Year 11 English classroom, which is such a fulfilling contrast. Seeing the continuum from early literacy to sophisticated analysis and writing reminds me of the incredible journey our students take.

At the same time, our staff professional development program has brought Junior and Senior School teachers together to share best practice and deepen their understanding of the beauties and complexities of each sub school. These conversations have been invaluable in building a stronger sense of connection across our community.

Collaboration has been at the heart of several projects this year. We’ve explored what students know and understand as they transition into Senior School, and how the Junior School prepares them with essential skills and knowledge. Looking ahead, we will continue our Middle School Mathematics project, commence a Middle School Writing initiative and review and develop our P–10 HPE and P–9 RaVE programs.

The most beautiful part of these projects is the collaboration between Junior and Senior School teachers and leaders. Together, we are creating a seamless learning experience for every student, ensuring that each stage of their journey is supported and celebrated.

Canterbury Taipans Esports – 2025 Year in Review

2025 has been a landmark year for Canterbury Taipans Esports, marked by outstanding competitive success, the opening of our purpose-built lab, and consistent strong participation across year levels.

Weekly Training & Participation

Our program continues to thrive with 60-70 students participating weekly across two dedicated training sessions. Tuesday sessions cater to Years 7-12, while Thursday sessions focus on Years 5-6. Demand has been so strong for our junior sessions that we’ve had to cap participation – a testament to the program’s appeal and the engaging environment we’ve created in our new facilities.

The Canterbury Taipans Esports Lab

The opening of our purpose-built Esports Lab in Term 3 transformed our program. Designed with input from students, staff, successful school programs, and industry professionals, the lab features 10 high-specification gaming stations in 5v5 formation, three Nintendo Switch stations an Xbox racing cockpit, and a vintage arcade machine. This multi-environment approach supports both competitive training and recreational gaming, with a 100-inch screen for teaching and tournament coordination.

Earlier this month, our lab received national recognition as Highly Commended for ‘Best Esports Space’ at the inaugural FUSE Cup – International School Esports Awards, validating our vision and investment in world-class facilities.

Competitive Excellence

Canterbury delivered outstanding performances across major competitions in 2025. The year culminated in an extraordinary Term 4 for our Rocket League program, with championship victories in both the TAS Esports Competition and the Fuse Cup National Finals. Our Year 11 team of Breeze Tauroa, Bentley Horne, and Lucas Noy claimed the TAS Championship, while Bentley and Lucas went on to become back-to-back National Fuse Cup Champions – defeating teams from across Australia in an unforgettable weekend of competition.

Our success extended beyond traditional esports titles. Canterbury achieved first place in the Minecraft Science and Technology Challenge, showcasing how gaming skills translate into creative problem-solving and collaborative STEM learning.

Across other Fuse Cup competitions in Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and Just Dance, our teams consistently reached regional semi-finals and finals. Individual achievements shone brightly, with Emma Fu achieving the highest individual Just Dance score across the entire event while her Year 5-6 team secured second place overall. Our Year 6-7 Girl Gamer teams excelled in the Brisbane region Just Dance competition, while our Year 9-12 Super Smash Bros team competed at an elite level throughout the season.

Canterbury also demonstrated leadership in the Esports community by hosting both Fuse Cup regional events and the Beat Saber VR competition, showcasing our facilities while building connections across schools.

Student Development

Our Esports Tournament Management Microcredential program equipped Year 9-10 students with real-world event planning, marketing, and logistics skills. Supported by industry partners including Dan from Fuse Cup Esports and Computer Alliance, students put their learning into practice by organizing and running a highly successful Senior School Mario Kart tournament in Term 4. The event featured an entertaining final where Yulia Kovalev emerged victorious amongst tight competition. A big congratulations to student organisers Isaiah McKenzie and Lincoln Homan for their excellent management and coordination on the day, demonstrating the practical skills gained through the microcredential program.

Looking to 2026

Next year promises continued growth with facility expansions, streamlined gameplay improvement programs, and our new partnership with Valor Esports for professional training. We’ll introduce new game titles, expand Girl Gamer initiatives, and build on our championship success. With talented players, outstanding facilities, and a supportive community, Canterbury Taipans Esports is positioned for another exceptional year.

Supporting Your Young Person’s Transition into Year 7

Last week, our Care Central team had the pleasure of meeting with parents and carers of both current and incoming Year 7 students to talk about the transition process to Senior School. Moving into Senior School is an exciting milestone full of growth, new opportunities and (naturally) a few nerves along the way. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the session, it was wonderful to share some tips and tricks for a smooth transition. For parents and carers who were not able to join us, this article provides a helpful recap on key information.

Our Role During the Transition to Senior School

Starting Year 7 comes with big changes – new routines, more responsibility, broader friendship groups, and a faster-paced academic environment. Our counsellors and nurses can support students through:

• Building confidence and independence
• Managing stress and setting realistic goals
• Navigating social dynamics
• Support physical and emotional wellbeing
• Strengthening resilience and a positive mindset
• Providing short-term interventions and referring to external supports when needed

We also work closely with families, teachers and Heads of House to ensure support pathways are clear and accessible.

Top Tips for a Smooth Transition

We shared practical strategies families can use at home to help their young person step confidently into Year 7. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Encourage Independence – Let them organise their bag, uniform and workload.
2. Keep Communication Open – Make space for regular check-ins without interrogation.
3. Establish a Routine – Predictability helps reduce stress.
4. Know the School – Become familiar with key contacts and places on campus.
5. Support Academic Habits – Help them plan, but resist taking over.
6. Understand Social Dynamics – Friendships shift; reassure them that this is normal.
7. Encourage Cocurricular Involvement – It’s a great way to build belonging.
8. Monitor Screen Time – Balance is key.
9. Promote Healthy Habits – Sleep, nutrition and downtown matter.
10. Stay Involved, While Respecting Their Growing Independence – a delicate but important balance.

Working together, we can ensure your young person feels safe, connected and ready for the exciting journey to Senior School.

Year 4 Explores the Wild World of Food Chains!

This term, our Year 4 students have been on an exciting journey into the world of Food Chains, learning how energy moves through ecosystems and why every living thing plays an important role.

They explored the main parts of a food chain:

• Producers are plants that make their own food using sunlight.
• Consumers are animals that eat plants or other animals to survive.
• Decomposers are organisms that break down dead matter and return nutrients to the soil.
• Disruptors are events or species that can upset the balance of an ecosystem.

To bring their learning to life, students created their own Bio Bubble, a three-dimensional model of a chosen environment such as a rainforest, desert or ocean. Each Bio Bubble showed how producers, consumers and decomposers interact, and what happens when a disruptor enters the system. The creativity and scientific thinking on display were incredible.

Did You Know?

1. Plants are the ultimate energy makers. They use sunlight to create food through photosynthesis, making them the starting point of most food chains.
2. Decomposers are nature’s recyclers. Without them, dead plants and animals would pile up, and nutrients would not return to the soil.
3. Disruptors can change everything. A single invasive species or natural disaster can completely alter a food chain.

English Faculty Wrap-Up: Celebrating a Remarkable Year of Learning, Creativity, and Enrichment

As we draw to the close of a rich and rewarding year in the English Faculty, it is a pleasure to reflect on the breadth of experiences, achievements, and intellectual growth our students have embraced throughout 2025. From theatrical immersions to academic competition success and creative excellence, this year has been shaped by curiosity, thoughtful engagement and a genuine passion for the study of language and literature.

A particular highlight was welcoming Shake and Stir Theatre Co for an impressive suite of performances across four cohorts. Students engaged with professional reinterpretations of works such as Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Hamlet. Each performance deepened students’ understanding of characterisation, theme and context while also enriching classroom dialogue. The calibre of these productions continues to reinforce the value of live theatre as an essential dimension of English learning.

This year also brought outstanding success in the Education Perfect English Championships, with several Canterbury students achieving exceptional results that placed them in the top tiers of the global competition. Their commitment to developing vocabulary, critical thinking and independent literacy skills is a testament to the strong learning culture present across our English classrooms.

A classroom highlight was our Year 10 Literature students’ study of the seminal text, The Great Gatsby. Through Socratic seminars, creative responses and analytical writing, they explored Fitzgerald’s critique of aspiration and identity with insight and sophistication. Their engagement reflects the high standards of criticality and curiosity that define our literature program.

We also proudly acknowledge Mia C who received recognition for her exceptional creative writing talent. Her evocative storytelling and distinctive voice serve as a reminder of the vibrant creative spirit that thrives within our faculty.

I extend my sincere thanks to our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to excellence and to our students for the enthusiasm and integrity they bring to their studies. We look forward to building upon this year’s achievements as we continue to nurture articulate, thoughtful and confident communicators in 2026.

Written by Nikki Bazaine, Head of English Faculty 

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